Last year the Miami Dolphins turned over enough rocks to find Davone Bess and Dan Carpenter as rookie free agents.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of gems or projects the Dolphins find and sign this year.

During a good interview with WQAM's Joe Rose this morning Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said the Dolphins have signed eight or nine undrafted rookie free agents as of Monday morning, and are looking to add a couple more.

During my discussions with Giants GM Jerry Reese, who I personally feel is one of the up-and-coming, young executives in the NFL, he said what allowed small school product Kevin Boss to stand out was his ability to dominant his level of competition, and blaze past whoever was defending him.

It appears Bronson was doing the same thing, and it'll be interesting to see how he does against Monmouth's John Nalbone, the Dolphins' fifth round pick during this weekend's rookie camp, and Joey Haynos during training camp.

Outside of Bronson, I'm told the Dolphins have signed the following players:

It's a REAL GOOD conversation, where he admits he's excited to see the wide receiver-cornerback matchups at rookie camp this weekend (me too!), talks about that acorn Jason Taylor (Dolphins are still lukewarm with their interest), and orders the priority positions in the NFL (quarterback, cover corner, left tackle, nose tackle and center).

You can also hear Big O's interviews with a couple of draftees on the site.

A lot of folk have ripped this Dolphin draft as being bad. Here’s what Ireland has to say to the doubters – “I don’t know where some people would get their information,” Ireland said. “Unless they have been on the road scouting, like myself and our other scouts, they would not know the needs of the teams are, sometimes they don’t know the character of the player, they are just kind of going out there and I don’t know where they are getting their information.
“So I don’t pay much attention to it to be honest with you and don’t really care to be honest with you.”
Here is another way to look at it.
Before:
1 25 (25)
2 24 (56)
3 23 (87)
4 26 (126)
5 25 (161)
6 24 (197)
7 23 (232)
After:
1 25 (25) CB Vontae Davis
2 12 (44) QB Pat White Acquired from the Redskins for DE Jason Taylor.
2 29 (61) CB Sean Smith Acquired from the Colts for the #24 pick in the 2nd round
3 23 (87) WR Patrick Turner Could be the next Keyshawn?
4 8 (108) WR Brian Hartline Acquired from the Raiders for C Samson Satele.
5 25 (161) TE John Nalbone
5 29 (165) S Chris Clemons Acquired from the Colts for the #24 pick in the 2nd round
6 8 (181) OT Andrew Gardner Acquired from the Raiders for C Samson Satele.
6 24 (197) Traded to the Cowboys for DT Jason Ferguson in 2008.
7 5 (214) LB J D Folsum Acquired from the Browns for CB Travis Daniels.
7 23 (232) Traded to the Jaguars for DT Tony McDaniel.
7 28 (237) Acquired from the Panthers for Josh McCown then traded to the Chiefs for a 2010 7th round pick.
We turned 7 picks, Satele, JT, McDaniel and McCown (all very expendable as it turns out) into Ferguson who has already contributed big time, 9 new rookies, Tony McDaniel who may turn into Ferguson’s replacement, and we have an additional 7th next year (in a better draft?) too. So we got a pass-rusher that we needed in Wake, plus Clemons and Gardner for free, and if we resign JT (which we could if we wanted to) we also get White for free too. Oh and you can add in a dozen or so UFAs. I don’t call that too shoddy a retooling exercise personally!

O,
What did you hear about us trying to move Beck during the draft? I can’t believe we weren’t offered even a 6th or 7th for him! Now we have cut him or trade him to someone for a pick next year, I would think.

Obviously they felt they had a better chance of moving him for a higher pick before the starter of the regular season.
I would be shocked if they decided to carry four quarterbacks and six receivers (Ginn, Camarillo, Bess, London, Turner, Hartline) on the 53-man roster.
That leaves 15 spots on the 53-man roster for offensive linemen (at least nine), running backs (three), a fullback, and at least two tight ends.
The numbers just don’t add up.

I think Patrick Turner is one of the keys to the success of this draft.
When we look back on it 3 years from now the Turner pick and how it pans out is going to go a long way in judging whether or not this was a good draft.
I just think of the run on WR’s before this pick and wonder whether a team like the Giants didn’t snatch up the guy (Barden) the Fins really wanted to draft in the third round.
And if Barden turns out to be better than Turner than there will be a lot of second guessing.

“Giants GM Jerry Reese, who I personally feel is one of the up and coming executives in the NFL”
Oh really. The same up-and-coming GM who turned 4 drafted rookies into starters on a Super Bowl winning team and has been called one of the best GM’s in the NFL. He is really rising you know, we should try and get him

Can you chill out on the NT.
Remember the fumble that Solai produced on the ravens? The guy has talent man. Plus they have McDaniels that can play NT in a pinch. Also, Ferguson doesnt play all downs. 3rd and long they put in another DB.
RELAX. Next year we can draft a 1 round NT or sign Wilfork from the PATS. The PATS drafter an NT because Wilfork wants some heavy cash!

You read the Q&A’s with each of these picks and you see what kind of player was picked. SMART, willing to learn and do what is asked of them, all winning attitudes.
I like this draft class a lot, all these guys seem intense and are going to really bring forth the competition in camp.
Vontae is in a good place here, good disciplined coaching and I’m sure his bro has told him he better straighten up as he himself has since getting called out.
There is real good veteran leadership on this team and with these rookies coming in with such enthusiasm and willingness I think the team development and “culture change” is way ahead of schedule.
Pat White buddy I am intruiged by you.
This draft I beleive goes a long way to putting the right kind of players in place to become very dominant over the course of the next several years.
Are Pat White jerseys available yet?
Go Dolphins
I hate to say it but it’s stuck in my head
“THE DYNASTY BE FINS”

The Patriots drafted THREE Defensive tackles.
Santonio Thomas will likely be churned.
Maybe the Dolphins plan to poach a nose tackle, but it’s not like they are in great position to pick up talent on the waiver wire.

Turner or Hartline on the practice squad maybe?
Well, Hartline plays S.T. so he’ll be active. I see Turner going practice squad…. Jeez, a third round pick on the practice squad?!?
I can’t see a 3rd rounder on the practice squad. So London and Hartline are battling for a spot on this team.

Yes Sir, I expect at least 2 dudes from Waiver Wires to be on the 53 man squad.
And people, please dont cry when London or another last year semi contributed get waived. Its Biz….
Now, more importantly. How can we get a 6th rounder for Beck. I was hoping we could have sent him to the Cowboys. Might just have to the cut Cam’s protege.

Patsies took a lot of DB’s too. They’re scared of us. Tuna is in Bellicheats head. Put Brace next to Wilfork , we’ll spread em out and dump it right over their heads.
Split Ronnie wide one on one with Butler on a White pass at the line . They’d be peeling Butler off the turf

culito,
Yeah, I see Beck getting cut. If a team had even the slightest interest in him he would have been traded before or during this weak draft.
Only way he gets traded:
if some team gets hit with an injury at QB during training camp. Otherwise he’s getting cut man.

Problem is not that the Dolphins got bad players. Problem is that several of them were taken too early when better players were available. And if Dolphins front office was really sold on those players, they should have traded down a few spots to get them. They did that successfully in 2nd round and still got Sean Smith. Pat White, Patrick Turner, and Brian Hartline all probably could have been had down quite a few spots later in the draft. This just does not seem like good value for those picks.

O,
thanks for informing about Ricky. Seattle released there ILB who they had the franchise tag on. I would not be upset if they took a stab at him. 2 compete with Crowder and Adoleye. If they re-sign JT good if not I understand he is old..provides pressure on qb but also exceptable to the run

What about NT for g-d’s
sake!!!
Posted by: Lyle Boyblu | April 27, 2009 at 09:43 AM
What part of there weren’t any available when we picked and there aren’t that many to begin with are you not understanding?
We have 3 NTs on our roster in Ferguson, Soliai and Cohen. Soliai and Cohen are 07 4th round picks. Do you seriously think we’ll find upgrades at NT in the rookie free agent pool? Not impossible but highly doubtful.

Omar,
What position will Dolphins list Pat White on roster?
If he is QB, then either Henne will be inactive on gamedays or White will (unavailable for wildcat). Seems like he needs number to be listed as WR\RB\KR. and take one of those roster spots for gameday if we plan to use him in wildcat right away. Better be a real good special teams player as well if taking one of those spots.

The Pats are saturating NT with marginal talent, hoping to get lucky.
After Haynesworth, they know they probably won’t be able or willing to pay what Wilfork will want.
He’s going to want a lot.
Hey O, how about a new depth chart?

…its not just London battling for a spot …with the exception of Ginn, I think every WR spot is wide open to competition and may the best man win …and add White into those numbers as well …he adds such flexibility to the roster numbers …one man filling needs at QB/RB/WR/ST such that the trifecta can keep him on the field on virtually every offensive snap …if of course, he proves to be what they apparently think he is.

If Beck doesn’t get moved I think he stays listed as 3rd QB and not cut this will maintain or increase his value and he’ll be moved next year, or hell stay as back-up with whatever unfolds. Pat White running back he won’t have a green dot.

Is it safe to say that Ronnie Brown is not going anywhere? Harvey and Hyde nailed that one huh?!?
No RB’s drafted or signed as FAs. We traded out of the 7th round when Rashad Jennings was still on the board. Ronnie will be here a while, get used to him H&H.

…I’d be very surprised if any waiver wire guys make our roster …we don’t get first pick like we did last year so any decent players put on waiver have to go through another 25 teams first …and we’re not a 1-15 roster this year so I expect the churn to be significantly lower in the trenches and thus fewer opportunities for waiver wire guys to win a spot.

The bottom line is our roster is a lot more talented and deeper than it was last year.
There will be good competition at CB and WR this year that wasn’t there last year.
The OL should be more physical and improved.
Our defense should be ahead of where they were last year.
The QBs should all be ahead of where they were last year at this time. Pennington wasn’t even here yet.

I think its pretty dumb to go out and grade a draft 1 day after. Be patient.
The first test of a draft it to see who makes the 53 man squad.
Last Year’s draft was great. I think only 1 guy will be cut: Murphy
Last Years FA was good. Wilford will be cut and maybe Charlie Anderson.
I am surprised no big trades this draft among the teams. I expect some trades to go down before the first cut from 100 to 70 something

Johndb,
You are right, maybe this is a 2 year plan. Imagine old TEABOW lined up as H-BACK on the option from Pat White.
That would be hard to stop on 3-4 yd carries for 1st down.
People have to remember: The wildcat is designed to move the chains, not score TDs on every try. WTF!

I doubt the Dolphins liked Barden. He was super slow at the Combine. Ernest Wilford slow.
They did want big. But they wanted big with speed, which is why they targeted and took Patrick Turner in the third.
From listening to Ireland talk to Joe Rose I think they were comfortable passing on the first tier of WRs and WANTED Turner and Hartline.
We’ll see in three years if that was the right call.
I think a lot will depend on what Pat White (who I really consider a receiver) does in his rookie season.
If he scores eight touchdowns he could be the rookie of the year.
Think about that for a second.

The first time you can start to evaluate a draft is after OTAs and minicamps to get a feel for what these guys look like. Then again in training camp to see how they’re holding up in pads. Then in the preseason. Then the regular season and playoffs. Then the next two years.
It’s a process. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen draft grades go out to teams the day after that don’t pan out even close to that grade, and drafts with bad grades end up being better.
For instance, everyone is so high on the Jets draft because they traded up for Sanchez. If he busts their draft will stink. They only had 3 picks. The RB Shonn Greene was a nice pick in the 3rd but that’s it. A 6th round OL who may or may not pan out.

I felt like NE jumped in front of us every step of the way. I was waiting for Brace to fall to us and BAM they picked him. I thought Butler would fall to us and BAM they picked him. By trading out of the first round and with the picks they already had in the 2nd they were in a position to move up or down at will… Belichick knew which players we were targeting and even if he didn’t have a need he made sure we didn’t fill ours with the players we wanted. I think the feud with Parcells is alive and well.
The Pat White pick was very curious to me. I think he’s a hell-of-a player but the pick doesn’t fit with the roster and it changes the QB landscape completely. It’s as if they decided to change philosophies to go wildcat as more of a primary offense, but where does that leave Henne and Pennington and Beck? Clearly they don’t fit. Ronnie Brown running it did not require us to substitute and we were able to force the defense to defend it without changing personnel. I think that was a key to its effectiveness. Now when White runs on the field everyone in the stadium knows the wildcat is coming.
If White is now going to be the heir apparent then we have no back-up who can step in without drastically changing the offense. Does anyone remember Gerry Glanville and the “run and shoot” that was used by the Houston Oilers back in the 80’s? This offense is not much different except it is more run oriented. My point is, it was a flash in the pan. Glanville got fired and Houston sucked because NFL quickly figured out that by forcing pressure up the middle they could completely disrupt the flow of the offense. I’m sure everyone watched what the Ravens did to us in the playoffs.
Does Parcells want to further his legacy by creating the next generation NFL offense and garner the genus tag like Bill Walsh? Either way bringing Pat White into the game defeats the element of surprise and starting Pat White causes a complete change of offensive philosophy in the middle of a game should he go down. Maybe they will acquire Michael Vick next, he would fit or perhaps they are waiting on Tim Tebow.

With even moderate success this year by White and the wildcat Tebow will easily be the first pick next year.
I still see Ronnie taking snaps in the wildcat and when HE throws to White you’ll hear a collective WTF? from the other sideline.

This organization has been such a sh!t storm for the past x years that you have to trust what the Trifecta is doing now … these are the guys they targeted and they picked them for a reason. I’m okay with that … let’s see how it pans out. I scratched my head over a couple of picks but what the hell do I know? Not more than Ireland and Parcells!!!
As for trading down … this was a weak draft in the middle rounds and you need a trading partner to trade down, right? So, I’m guessing not too many teams wanted to jump up to get a specific player. Again. let’s just see how it pans out.
btw, I live in NY and the Jets fans are so HORNY for Mark Sanchez. What a joke … jets are so pathetic. My guess is that he’s a bust. I would never waste a #5 pick on a guy that started 16 games in college. Those types of QB’s typically don’t pan out.

bottom line is we don’t know how this draft will come out for several years.
what i think we did is we stockpiled in problem areas CB and WR. Now our percentages of hitting are better. If we hit on 1 starter among the two, along with PW contributing and there is no doubt he will then one of our later round picks gives us solid depth my guess is the OT and S then we had a solid draft. 3 big time contributers and a a few depth guys. you don’t get 4 and 5 starters out of every draft. we did last year bc are team sucked the year before.
i also believe both CB’s are going to be good and that was the most important thing in our divison with all those WR’s. now we can hopefully let allen walk at the end of the year. still have 2 solid CB’s and green or allen, then probably draft another one. and all of a sudden we save some money and are still very good.
now we got extra money, where does everyone think that is going? Yep that is right wilfork or a pass rushing specialist.
also want to add everyone knows pennington will be gone at end of the year (another $5 mill freed up) and pat white naturally becomes the backup to henne. what is wrong with that. you need 2 good qb’s in this league, and now we have the most active 2nd string qb in the league. then draft another.
you guys see the cycle. this draft enables us to wipe to contracts off the books next year and go back to NT and OLB next year. rb, wr, db, qb will all be set.
and who knows maybe wake is amazing.
the only negative thing i could say about draft is i wish we would have gotten one of the top 5 or so TE’s. we run a lot of 2 te offense and no way we resign both martin and fasano. maybe the dartmouth kid or this undrafted fa might be it. but i would have liked one of them over one of our two wr’s selected. but maybe haynos is better than we think.

Ireland said White will play some receiver.
If you play some receiver you’re a receiver/quarterback.
But I give the kid some credit, he’s got conviction.
Actually, it would benefit them to keep John Beck all season because you still need a quarterback to run the practice squad.
Pat White can’t do that and learn the offense, or be a key contributor to the Wildcat because the offense and defense practice on different fields.
So on second thought, Beck stays.

With White and Ginn on the field together it’s hard to think of a way for teams to stack the box they almost can’t do it and would really open themselves up if they did.
The ball has to come out fast though no matter who is throwing it.

“Now when White runs on the field everyone in the stadium knows the wildcat is coming.”
…not if he’s already on the field as RB or WR …you have to believe that the trifecta made the pick with the intent of him being an every down player, not just a wildcat option QB …you look at his abilities and the brain just clogs up with all the possibilities he brings …this guy can run, he can throw, and he can catch and then run …even if he’s just an average receiver, look at what he can do AFTER a catch that none of our current receivers can …he’s not going to be a between the tackles RB but he can definitely block for one …this guy isn’t heading for the sidelines either at the first sign of a db …its the db that will be the worried player there.
…the more I see of his tapes, the more I like the possibilities …maybe Parcels is the next Walsh.

Mr Culito
If they add a rookie QB that will be a telling sign.
But I just don’t think you cut things that have value. They haven’t previously, and Beck still has value.
He was a top five rated QB in 2007. So what he flopped early. So did Steve Young.

The Wildcat is not about surprise, its about execution of something that is hard to defend because so many plays can come off of the formation. Simply put -White lines up as a WR in some cases becoming a huge threat from the same spot Pennington would line up. Problem is no one considered Chad much of a threat. White will be a threat. Most are thinking White replaces Ronnie when to me he replaces Pennington when we run the Wildcat. Gruden confirmed he thinks the Wildcat is likely here to stay and that it is very tough to have the right defensive personnel to defend it.

Something else too. Quarterbacks always have and always will have value and QB, shall we say inventory, is in abundance here now. Meaning should a team lose someone due to injury or whatever a team is more apt to come to us and over reach or overpay and we could actually get someone’s first next year for either of the Chads or White. And that would be good.

I can only laugh at the negative comments that ANYBODY has to offer. McShay, Skolnick, YOU and every other knucklehead that believes they know MORE than the trio. Go get a GM job in the NFL then if you know so much. I have NO delusions of granduer thinking the Phins have positioned themselves for a Super Bowl run this year. I won’t even go so far as to say that the Phins have made themselves a better team as EVERY SINGLE pick they made may bust. What I can say after these guys took a 1-15 team and turned them into a 11-5 team is that I look forward to the product on the field next year… WIN OR LOSE.

Well we can add WR’s and CB’s to the list of got depth no need to focuas on the position for awhile. Same can be said for QB. That is a good thing. I think we should resign Taylor based on the draft and OLB depth would be solved also.

imo, if they drafted white to be a qb running the wildcat ……. ouch. the only way you let your qb run the wildcat is if you see him as expendable, you know he is going to get his clocked cleaned a few times. ever notice how hard scrambling qbs get hit. well the only way you would put white in that position is if you feel he wont hurt your team if he gets hurt. so like i said, just my opinion, but ouch

I agree that the Wildcat is not a surprise either. It was no longer a surprise the first time we ran it. The only element of surprise now is when will we go to it but teams are aware we use it so they’re ready. I agree it’s about execution just like any other plays.
The new fear is Pat White playing Ronnie’s role because the option to pass threat has been upgraded. White has a good arm. At the combine I thought he threw better than many of the QB prospects including Sanchez.
The Wildcat is just a package of plays like anything else, 5 wide shotgun, 3 TEs or whatever.

“During my discussions with Giants GM Jerry Reese, who I personally feel is one of the up-and-coming, young executives in the NFL…”
Omar,
I don’t mean to be condescending but you think??? The guy had one of the best drafts I’ve ever seen the year the Giants won the Super Bowl. That 2007 draft put them over the top with Ross, Bradshaw, & Boss, etc. He hit on 7 players in that draft & missed on one–Adam Koets. His draft last year also has 2 very good players that had a big impact last year with Phillps & Thomas. & I like the upside of Manningham. In addition I loved what he did in this year’s draft. Nicks is going to be SICK!!!

I think White would be the guy Rickie was and Ronnie takes the snaps that way he can push it into the line and white can take hand offs and be a running and passing threat moving towards the sideline and getting around the corner.

Whites opportunity to be a traditional QB will come in time…like after Pennington retires. Mayock for what its worth thinks he has chance to be our starter down the road, that he could challenge Henne.
I am sure the brass thought lets get him and will worry later on how he benefits us the most.

phinmanski, if you were replying to me I wasn’t saying remove Ronnie from the formation. But White is going to play his role because that is where the pass option comes into play. Cobbs may be the odd man out. White will lineup wide some of the time with Ronnie playing QB, but I think it will be the opposite more often. Now Ronnie lines up wide.

I think the draft shows us that the TRifecta thinks we are farther ahead of the 3 year plan than us fans think.
They made damn sure we can put the WR /CB talk to bed because we got some serious competition going on now.

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More